Background

UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It is established in 1976, it provides financial and technical assistance to innovative approaches aimed at fostering women's empowerment and gender equality. Today the organization's work touches the lives of women and girls in more than 100 countries. UNIFEM serves as a catalyst to ensure mainstreaming women rights in policy and programs levels, as well as it plays an innovative and a catalytic role in the UN system making the voices of women heard at the United Nations - to highlight critical issues and advocate for the implementation of existing commitments made to women.
 
In line with fulfilling UNIFEM's strategic objectives, UNIFEM Arab States' program focuses on three main areas ; strengthening women's political participation, ending violence against women, reducing the prevalence of HIV/Aids for women, and ensuring women's economic security and rights in the region.
 
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Director (RPD) for Arab States, the Deputy Regional Programme Director is responsible for programme management and assisting the RPD in effectively managing all aspects of programme and administrative management in the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) including the field offices.
 
Specifically the Deputy Regional Programme Director will directly supervise the Country Programme Coordinators and field offices, and oversee the programmatic and management of these offices. Additionally, the DRPD will oversee the management of the regional office and the services provided by the regional office to the field offices. The DRPD will assist with partnership building, outreach, and donor relations and programmatic and strategic development to ensure a strong ASRO which advocates for the rights and empowerment of women in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice to the RPD regarding regional and national level integration of UNIFEM programmes into the socio-economic development process through monitoring policy changes, conducting regular field visits, and preparing situational analysis reports that serve as the basis for the programme formulation of UNIFEM in the region;
• In cooperation with the RPD, lead the development of the region's strategy in line with the corporate UNIFEM strategy, and ensure alignment of field offices in that regard. Develop implementation plans to ensure effective achievement of said strategy and management mechanisms to monitor its progress and results;
• Manage and supervise Programme Coordinators for field offices and ensure the technical monitoring, administrative, and financial supervision required to ensure implementation of programs according to UN rules and regulations and for clearly defined programmatic results connected to UNIFEM strategies both global and regional;
• Establish and maintain consultation with governments implementing agencies, women's organizations and multi/bilateral donors;
• Advise, guide and input into the formulation of quality project proposals in strategic areas for UNIFEM's intervention, setting models for achieving aspired results according to clear monitoring and evaluation systems;
• Participation in resource mobilization activities and partnership building for fund raising for new projects in coordination with the RPD;
• Oversee the preparation of results-based analytical and regular progress reports on UNIFEM's programme experiences to donors, for UNIFEM Headquarters and  as required;
• Oversee programme/project appraisal and evaluations according to results-based management requirements;
• Participate in country level United Nations programming processes and similar exercises related to the RC system ensuring that gender concerns are clearly reflected and mainstreamed in process. Ensure that UNFIEM is strategically placed within UN planning processes/UNCT, Joint Programmes and initiatives, and placed as an advocate for gender in the UNCT;
• Directly supervise Operations Manager who manages the operational arm of the ASRO (including human resources, finance, procurement, and security), ensuring compliance with UN rules and regulations, and efficient and sustainable business processes for sound operations management;
• Provide orientation and supervisory guidance to staff under DRPD management through performance assessments, work planning, and managerial supervision;
• Act as officer-in-charge in the absence of the RPD, providing overall programmatic and operational management of the Regional Office, including day to day supervision of field offices throughout the region as well as representational functions. This includes attending UNCT and SMT meetings as required and performing required responsibilities as per established delegation of authority.
  

Competencies

• Professionalism - Sharing and practicing the values and ethical standards of the United Nations.
• Interpersonal Skills - Good interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environments with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Strong diplomatic skills.
• Communication - Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Ability to communicate in public and with media effectively.
• Planning and Organizing - Uses time efficiently. Ability to prioritize assignments and allocate appropriate time for completing work. Strictly observes deadlines. Works well under pressure. Ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner. Good time management skills.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning - Initiative and willingness to learn new skills. Strong coaching and mentoring skills for staff learning and professional growth.
• Technological Awareness - Possesses excellent computer skills to facilitate work and knowledge management needs.
• Trust: Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with staff. Respected by peers, clients and staff. High integrity.
• Teamwork - Strong teambuilding skills, and excellent team player. Works towards strengthening team dynamics and communication.
• Approaches work with initiative and dynamism. Proactive Approach.
• People Management - Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff. Strong coaching and mentoring skills for professional growth of staff
• Partnership - Good partnership and outreach skills, building alliances and networks, and maintain good relations with partners and stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience